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Blocks of the foramen rotundum and the oval foramen: a reappraisal of extraoral maxillary and mandibular nerve injections.

OBJECTIVE: To present our experience of regional anaesthesia with blocks of the foramen rotundum and the oval foramen. DESIGN: Open study. SETTING: University Hospital, Beograd, Yugoslavia. SUBJECTS: 107 patients who underwent 58 maxillary and 49 mandibular nerve blocks. INTERVENTIONS: Injection of 2% lignocaine with adrenaline 1/80,000 with an 18 G venflon or 20 G spinal needle. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Quality of anaesthesia and morbidity. RESULTS: 49 of the 58 maxillary (84%) and 45 of the 49 mandibular (92%) nerve blocks were successful (no sensitivity to pinprick in the distribution of the injected nerve and a painless operation). There were 17 complications (26%), 8 in the maxillary and 9 in the mandibular group. All complications were minor and transient, and 6 could be attributed to anhydrous glycerol rather than the injection technique itself. CONCLUSION: Blocks of the foramen rotundum and the oval foramen achieve good regional anaesthesia in the maxillofacial region.

Anesthetics, Local↗

New patterns of Trichinella infection.

Human and animal trichinellosis should be considered as both an emerging and reemerging disease. The reemergence of the domestic cycle has been due to an increased prevalence of Trichinella spiralis, which has been primarily related to a breakdown of government veterinary services and state farms (e.g., in countries of the former USSR, Bulgaria, Romania), economic problems and war (e.g., in countries of the former Yugoslavia), resulting in a sharp increase in the occurrence of this infection in swine herds in the 1990s, with a prevalence of up to 50% in villages in Byelorussia, Croatia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Russia, Serbia, and the Ukraine, among other countries. The prevalence has also increased following an increase in the number of small farms (Argentina, China, Mexico, etc.) and due to the general belief that trichinellosis was a problem only until the 1960s. The sylvatic cycle has been studied in depth at both the epidemiological and biological level, showing the existence of different etiological agents (Trichinella nativa, Trichinella britovi, Trichinella murrelli, Trichinella nelsoni) in different regions and the existence of "new" transmission patterns. Furthermore, the role of game animals as a source of infection for humans has greatly increased both in developed and developing countries (Bulgaria, Canada, Lithuania, some EU countries, Russia, USA, etc.). The new emerging patterns are related to non-encapsulated species of Trichinella (Trichinella pseudospiralis, Trichinella papuae, Trichinella sp.), infecting a wide spectrum of hosts (humans, mammals including marsupials, birds and crocodiles) and to encapsulated species (T. spiralis, T. britovi, and T. murrelli) infecting herbivores (mainly horses). The existence of non-encapsulated species infecting mammals, birds and crocodiles had probably remained unknown because of the difficulties in detecting larvae in muscle tissues and for the lack of knowledge on the role of birds and crocodiles as a reservoir of Trichinella. On the other hand, it is not known whether horse and crocodile infections existed in the past, and their occurrence has been related to improper human behavior in breeding. The problem of horse-meat trichinellosis is restricted to France and Italy, the only two countries where horse-meat is eaten raw, whereas mutton and beef have been found to be infected with Trichinella sp. only in China.

Alligators and Crocodiles↗

An overview of the epidemiology and epizootology of brucellosis in selected countries of Central and Southeast Europe.

The objective of this paper is to give an overview of the epidemiologic and epizootic status of brucellosis in selected countries of Central and Southeast Europe (Balkan region). Based on dimension of the disease problem, there is a need to establish collaboration in the eradication and prevention of brucellosis between all countries in the region. Although there were no readily accessible data concerning epidemiology and epizootology of brucellosis in these countries, the limited official and published data were analyzed. The incidence of brucellosis caused by Brucella melitensis in sheep, goats and humans is a very significant problem in Macedonia and Greece. In Greece, cattle are also affected either by B. melitensis or B. abortus. The disease is an endemic problem in some regions of Yugoslavia and includes B. suis biovar 2 in pigs and in Croatia, B. melitensis in sheep, goats and human is found occasionally. No problem appears to exist with brucellosis in Bulgaria. Financial well-supported brucellosis control programs of the European Union that will include all countries, regardless of the magnitude of brucellosis incidence, are needed for eradication and control of brucellosis.

Animals↗

Diet and prostate cancer: a case-control study.

A case-control study, performed in two towns of Serbia (Yugoslavia) from 1990 to 1994, comprised 101 patients with histologically confirmed prostate cancer and 202 hospital controls individually matched by age (+/-2 years), hospital admittance and place of residence. Dietary information was obtained by using a standard questionnaire. After adjustment for possible confounders, risk factors for prostate cancer appeared to be the highest tertile of protein (odds ratio (OR) = 13.54, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.38-77.13), saturated fatty acid (OR = 3.63, 95% CI = 1.03-12.79), fibre (OR = 4.02, 95% CI = 1.38-11.73), and vitamin B12 intake (OR = 2.07, 95% CI = 1.08-3.97); a protective effect was found for the highest tertile of alpha-tocopherol (OR = 0.15, 95% CI = 0.05-0.53), calcium (OR = 0.37, 95% CI = 0.14-0.99) and iron intake (OR = 0.34, 95% CI = 0.12-0.95). There were significant (P < 0.05) linear trends in the odds ratios for alpha-tocopherol, vitamin B12, calcium and iron. According to logistic regression step by step analysis, risk factors for prostate cancer were dietary intake of retinol equivalent (OR = 1.64, 95% CI = 1.01-2.67) and vitamin B12 (OR = 1.87, 95% CI = 1.15-3.05), and a protective effect was found for dietary intake of iron (OR = 0.40, 95% CI = 0.27-0.58).

Aged↗

Sexual torture of men in Croatia and other conflict situations: an open secret.

Sexual torture constitutes any act of sexual violence which qualifies as torture. Public awareness of the widespread use of sexual torture as a weapon of war greatly increased after the war in the former Yugoslavia in the early 1990s. Sexual torture has serious mental, physical and sexual health consequences. Attention to date has focused more on the sexual torture of women than of men, partly due to gender stereotypes. This paper describes the circumstances in which sexual torture occurs, its causes and consequences, and the development of international law addressing it. It presents data from a study in 2000 in Croatia, where the number of men who were sexually tortured appears to have been substantial. Based on in-depth interviews with 16 health professionals and data from the medical records of three centres providing care to refugees and victims of torture, the study found evidence of rape and other forced sexual acts, full or partial castration, genital beatings and electroshock. Few men admit being sexually tortured or seek help, and professionals may fail to recognise cases. Few perpetrators have been prosecuted, mainly due to lack of political will. The silence that envelopes sexual torture of men in the aftermath of the war in Croatia stands in strange contrast to the public nature of the crimes themselves.

Croatia↗

Radiology in forensic expert team operations.

Radiological methods are widely used in forensic pathology. Their most common applications are in complementing human identification, particularly in investigations of mass disasters and decomposed bodies, and in searching for foreign material inside corpses. A team of Finnish forensic experts investigated human skeletal remains in Bosnia and Herzegovina (1996) and in Kosovo, the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (1998). It also investigated more recently deceased victims in Kosovo (1999). In these investigations, the benefit of X-ray was in the detection of foreign material inside victims and their remains. For identification purposes, X-rays were mainly used to provide the best evidence possible of any pathological changes, physical characteristics, and injuries present.

Journal Article↗

Investigation of clandestine graves resulting from human rights abuses.

The role of the forensic scientist in the investigation of clandestine graves resulting from human rights abuses is discussed. Individuals buried in such circumstances have perished following abuse by persons in authority or by other political factions. Such persons have been classed by the abusers as dissidents or political opponents, or have been killed simply for belonging to a particular racial or religious grouping. Guidelines for investigation and the general approach by the scientist are suggested and examples of exhumations are cited in which the author has had personal involvement. These include exhumations carried out in the former Yugoslavia, Rwanda and Chile.

Journal Article↗

Genetic heterogeneity within Echinococcus granulosus: isolates from different hosts and geographical areas characterized with DNA probes.

A segment of the ribosomal RNA gene of Schistosoma mansoni and a DNA fragment specific to Echinococcus granulosus, cloned in plasmids, have been used as DNA probes to assess the extent of genetic variability within E. granulosus and some distinct strains have been identified. The DNA analysis, involving restriction endonuclease digestion and Southern blot hybridization with the probes, did not demonstrate any significant genetic variation within the U.K. horse/dog or sheep/dog strains but confirmed the distinctiveness of the two strains shown in previous studies. The sheep/dog strain was shown to be cosmopolitan in its distribution and fertile bovine material originating from the United Kingdom, Kenya, Spain and India conformed to this strain by DNA hybridization. In contrast, cattle isolates from Holland produced markedly different DNA hybridization banding profiles indicating that cattle can harbour more than one strain of E. granulosus. Similarly, it was shown that goats can harbour two different strains of E. granulosus, the sheep/dog strain and a form which infects camels. The strain of E. granulosus infecting equines in Spain and Ireland is genetically identical to that infecting horses in the United Kingdom. There is also a different strain infecting pigs in Poland and Yugoslavia. This pig/dog strain appears to be very similar genetically to the forms of E. granulosus which use camels and goats as intermediate hosts and is similar, though not identical, to the variant infecting Dutch cattle. It has been shown that E. granulosus material, fixed for a prolonged period in ethanol, or lyophilized, is amenable to DNA analysis and that it is possible to characterize the DNA of a single adult worm.

Animals↗

Do personality traits predict post-traumatic stress?: a prospective study in civilians experiencing air attacks.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have suggested an association between personality traits and post-traumatic stress. These studies either focused exclusively on military veterans or assessed personality traits after the traumatic event. This study investigates to what extent personality traits as assessed before the traumatic experience predict post-traumatic stress in civilians experiencing air attacks at the end of the exposure to stressful events and 1 year later. METHOD: The revised version of the NEO Personality Inventory was administered to 70 students in Belgrade, Yugoslavia. In 1999, 1 or 2 years after the assessment, all students were exposed to air attacks for 11 weeks. At the end of the attacks and 1 year later post-traumatic stress was measured on the Impact of Event Scale. RESULTS: Pre-trauma personality predicted 13% of the variance of intrusion scores 1 year after the attacks. There was no significant correlation between personality traits and subsequent avoidance scores at any point of time. CONCLUSIONS: Personality traits that are assessed before a traumatic event can, to a limited extent, predict intrusive symptoms in a non-clinical sample of civilians. Pre-trauma assessments of personality might be less strongly associated with post-traumatic stress than personality traits obtained after the traumatic event.

Adult↗

Trichinellosis acquired in the United Kingdom.

An outbreak of trichinellosis that occurred in the United Kingdom is described. Members of four households consumed pork salami from northern Serbia, the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Eight cases of trichinellosis occurred. Clinical and laboratory features of the cases were typical with myalgia (7 cases), fever (6), headache (5), periorbital oedema (4), non-specific ST/T wave changes on electrocardiogram (3), Trichinella antibodies (6), eosinophilia (7) and raised serum creatine kinase (3). All recovered. Trichinella larvae were detected in the salami. During pre-travel counselling, travellers should be advised about possible risk from cured pork products which have been produced locally in Trichinella endemic areas.

Adult↗

Seroepidemiology of hepatitis A and hepatitis B virus in Luxembourg.

A prospective seroepidemiological survey was carried out in Luxembourg in 2000-2001 to determine the antibody status of the Luxembourg population against hepatitis A virus (HAV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV). One of the objectives of this survey was to assess the impact of the hepatitis B vaccination programme, which started in May 1996 and included a catch-up campaign for all adolescents aged 12-15 years. Venous blood from 2679 individuals was screened for the presence of antibodies to HAV antigen and antibodies to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs) using an enzyme immunoassay. Samples positive for anti-HBs were tested for antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) using a chemiluminiscent microparticle immunoassay to distinguish between individuals with past exposure to vaccine or natural infection. The estimated age-standardized anti-HAV seroprevalence was 42.0% [95% confidence interval (CI) 39.8-44.1] in the population >4 years of age. Seroprevalence was age-dependent and highest in adult immigrants from Portugal and the former Yugoslavia. The age-standardized prevalence of anti-HBs and anti-HBc was estimated at 19.7% (95% CI 18.1-21.3) and 3.16% (95% CI 2.2-4.1) respectively. Anti-HBs seroprevalence exceeding 50% was found in the cohorts targeted by the routine hepatitis B vaccination programme, which started in 1996. Our study illustrates that most young people in Luxembourg are susceptible to HAV infection and that the hepatitis B vaccination programme is having a substantial impact on population immunity in children and teenagers.

Adolescent↗

Polymorphisms in nuclear rDNA and mtDNA reveal the polyphyletic nature of isolates of Phomopsis pathogenic to sunflower and a tight monophyletic clade of defined geographic origin.

The molecular diversity of Diaporthe helianthi (anamorph Phomopsis helianthi), the causal agent of sunflower stem canker, was studied in 16 isolates of different geographic origin using nuclear and mitochondrial markers. PCR products corresponding to the internal transcribed spacers (ITS1 and ITS2) of the nuclear ribosomal RNA gene, and to the mitochondrial atp6 gene were sequenced. The ITS1 and ITS2 sequences were compared with those of Phomopsis spp. and Diaporthe spp. obtained from databases. The diversity in the region surrounding the atp6 gene was also studied by restriction analysis using four enzymes. The analyses revealed a marked diversity within the sunflower-isolated strains, which appear to belong to phylogenetically unrelated groups. Noticeably, all the isolates collected in France and in the former Yugoslavia, where severe epiphytotics of sunflower stem canker are frequently reported, showed high similarity to each other forming a clade which clearly differentiated from all other ones within the genus Phomopsis. Conversely, all the isolates collected in Italy, where, despite favourable environmental conditions, the incidence of the disease is low, were only distantly related to the former group and showed sequence similarity with other previously established phylogenetic clades within the Phomopsis/Diaporthe complex.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

Analysis of ochratoxin A in foods consumed by inhabitants from an area with balkan endemic nephropathy: a 1 month follow-up study.

In the 1950s, a series of publications from Bulgaria, Yugoslavia, and Romania locally described a kidney disease called Balkan Endemic Nephropathy (BEN). In Bulgaria, the exposure of populations to ochratoxin A (OTA) was supported by analysis of individual food items demonstrating a higher prevalence and higher levels of OTA in food from the high-incidence areas of BEN. In this work, food consumption from a series of individuals from two villages of the BEN area during 1 month was followed using the duplicate diet method. Meals consumed by volunteers from both villages showed uneven OTA contents, spreading from below the limit of quantification (<0.07 microg/kg) to 2.6 microg/kg. The average weekly intake of OTA varies from 1.86 to 92.7 ng/kg of body weight. Some of these levels approach the provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) established by the JECFA at 100 ng/kg of body weight. These results confirm previous studies performed in the same area and demonstrate the high exposure of this population to OTA, thus strengthening the hypothesis of the involvement of this mycotoxin in BEN etiology.

Adult↗

Food intake patterns and 25-year mortality from coronary heart disease: cross-cultural correlations in the Seven Countries Study. The Seven Countries Study Research Group.

In the Seven Countries Study, associations between the intake of food-groups and 25-year mortality from coronary heart disease (CHD, defined as sudden coronary death or fatal myocardial infarction) were investigated. Baseline surveys were carried out between 1958 and 1964. A number of individual characteristics were measured in 12,763 middle-aged men belonging to 16 cohorts in seven countries (USA, Finland, The Netherlands, Italy, former Yugoslavia, Greece and Japan). Dietary information was collected in sub-samples using the weighed record method. Vital status of all participants was verified at regular intervals during 25 years of follow-up and the underlying cause of death was adjudicated. Eighteen different food-groups and combinations were considered for comparison among cohorts. Large differences in food-group consumption were seen, with high consumption of dairy products in Northern Europe, meat in the USA, vegetables, legumes, fish, and wine in Southern Europe, and cereals, soy products, and fish in Japan. Population death rates from CHD showed large differences, ranging from 268 per 1000 in East Finland to 25 per 1000 in Crete, Greece. Animal food-groups were directly correlated, and vegetable food-groups (except potatoes) as well as fish and alcohol were inversely correlated with CHD mortality. Univariate analysis showed significant positive correlation coefficients for butter (R = 0.887), meat (R = 0.645), pastries (R = 0.752), and milk (R = 0.600) consumption, and significant negative correlation coefficients for legumes (R = -0.822), oils (R = -0.571), and alcohol (R = -0.609) consumption. Combined vegetable foods (excluding alcohol) were inversely correlated (R = -0.519), whereas combined animal foods (excluding fish) were directly correlated (R = 0.798) with CHD death rates. Multivariate stepwise analysis selected butter, lard + margarine and meat as significant predictors and produced an R2 of 0.922. These findings were confirmed by factor analysis. These cross-cultural analyses are consistent with the hypothesis that dietary patterns are important determinants of differences in population CHD death rates, and confirm the opposite effects on apparent risk of animal and vegetable foods.

Coronary Disease↗

Evaluation of a transit first-aid station providing emergency care to former Yugoslavian war victims evacuated in Ancona, Italy.

BACKGROUND: A first-aid station was implemented in Falconara Marittima airport (Ancona, Italy). It provided medical emergency care to war victims evacuated from former Yugoslavia in transit for further treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A descriptive analysis of the displaced population arriving at the first-aid station was performed using three independent datasets for administrative information, of which one included medical information. The implemented resources were also evaluated. RESULTS: From August 1993 to March 1995, 2272 displaced persons were registered at the first-aid station, out of which 54.2% were accompanying family members. Among those needing medical intervention (45.8% of total), most frequent diagnoses were traumatisms and burns (59.8%), neoplasms (15.6%), and congenital malformations (13.2%). The medical care provided at the first-aid station was most often basic: a medical examination alone was performed on 77.0% of the patients, and a minor dressing on 17.3%. Median length of stay was 1 day. Patients were sent to 30 different countries and 8% were forwarded to the local regional hospital. Deployed logistical resources exceeded by far actual needs but a lack of psychological assistance was observed, mainly for children. The agencies involved did not coordinate data sharing and follow-up information. CONCLUSIONS: The medical assistance to the war victims was efficient regarding provided care and timeliness. Effectiveness of such a programme could be improved by a better coordination between partners, allowing more adequate logistics according to appropriate epidemiological information.

Adolescent↗

Machine gaming in Sydney clubs: characteristics of the supporting resident populations.

This research provided background for surveys and interviews in later stages of a 3 part project. It aimed to identify, from secondary research, sociodemographic characteristics which tend to support registered clubs and their machine gaming activities in the Sydney Statistical Division. Using multiple methods including Pearson's Product Moment correlation, Principal Components factor analysis, and stepwise regression, the study profiled Sydney populations which spend highly on gaming machines. The most important sociodemographic predictors of Sydney statistical local areas where per capita gaming machine expenditure is high are large proportions of the adult resident population who were born in Malta, Greece, Lebanon, China, Italy, Vietnam, Yugoslavia, India or the Philippines; have no vocational or tertiary qualifications; or are unemployed.

Gambling↗

Pleural mesothelioma incidence in Europe: evidence of some deceleration in the increasing trends.

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the geographical and temporal variations in incidence of pleural mesothelioma in Europe, using the extensive data available from European general cancer registries, and consider these in light of recent trends in asbestos extraction, use and import in European countries. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The data were extracted from the European Cancer Incidence and Mortality database (EUROCIM). The inclusion criteria was acceptance in Volume VII of Cancer Incidence in Five Continents. Truncated age-standardized rates per 100,000 for the ages 40-74 were used to summarise recent geographical variations. Standardized rate ratios and 95% confidence intervals for the periods 1986-1990 and 1991-1995 were compared to assess geographical variations in risk. To investigate changes in the magnitude of most recent trends, regression models fitted to the latest available 10-year period (1988-1997) were compared with trends in the previous decade. Fitted rates in younger (40-64) and older adults (65-74) in the most recent period were also compared. RESULTS: There was a great deal of geographical variation in the risk of mesothelioma, annual rates ranging from around 8 per 100,000 in Scotland, England and The Netherlands, to lower than 1 per 100,000 in Spain (0.96), Estonia (0.85), Poland (0.85) and Yugoslavia, Vojvodina (0.56) among men. The rank of the rates for women was similar to that observed for men, although rates were considerably lower. Between 1978 and 1987, rates in men significantly increased in all countries (excepting Denmark). In the following 10 years, there was a deceleration in trend, and a significant increase was detectable only in England and France. In addition, the magnitude of recent trends in younger men was generally lower than those estimated for older men, in both national and regional cancer registry settings. CONCLUSIONS: While mesothelioma incidence rates are still rising in Europe, a deceleration has started in some countries. A decrease may begin in the next few years in certain European populations considering the deceleration of observed trends in mesothelioma and asbestos exposure, as well as the recent ban on its use.

Asbestos↗

A coding region in Diaporthe helianthi reveals genetic variability among isolates of different geographic origin.

A set of Diaporthe helianthi isolates collected in different geographic areas was studied in order to examine whether different genetic biotypes could be responsible for epidemiological differences shown by sunflower stem canker. D. helianthi causes serious losses in France and in former Yugoslavia, while the pathogen is only sporadically recorded in Italy in spite of conducive pedoclimatic conditions. Variability of a D. helianthi coding genomic region, evaluated by means of polymerase chain reaction (PCR), Southern blot hybridisation and restriction fragments length polymorphism (RFLP), showed a conserved homogeneous pattern shared by French and Yugoslavian isolates compared with the heterogeneous pattern of Italian isolates. These results are consistent with other investigations (IGS and ITS region variability) performed on the same set of isolates, allowing a correlation between D. helianthi biotypes, their geographic origin and sunflower stem canker epidemiology.

Ascomycota↗